Maui to celebrate 34th annual World Whale Day event
KIHEI – Happily anticipated by past attendees and a delightful surprise for those who happen upon it, World Whale Day is Maui’s largest, best-attended celebration of the humpback whales off our island shores. Now in its 34th year, World Whale Day 2014 takes place on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Kalama Park in Kihei. Admission is free, and the public is invited.
Launching the festivities is Maui’s Parade of Whales – featuring Fleetwood Mac drummer and co-founder Mick Fleetwood as the grand marshal – stepping off at 9 a.m. along South Kihei Road. The parade ends at Kalama Park at 10 a.m., ushering in a day of live music by Mick Fleetwood and the R.E. Metoyer Blues Rock and Soul Revue, John Cruz, Anuhea, George Kahumoku Jr., Ekolu, Na Hoa, Dr. Nat and Rio Ritmo, and Marty Dread, plus hula by Manute’a Nui E.
Bring your appetite, as there will be more than 14 food booths serving tantalizing fare. You’ll also find a carnival for the kids, a huge “Made on Maui” artisans’ fair, silent auction and environmental displays. Deejays from KPOA will emcee the event.
More than 25,000 Maui residents and visitors are expected to attend this day of aloha for the whales.
“Everyone has a great time at this free, family-oriented event,” said Alison Stewart, events manager at Pacific Whale Foundation. “Stop by for a few hours or bring your lawn chair or beach blanket and stay the entire day to enjoy the performances by some of Hawai’i’s greatest musicians, all in one place, for free.”
“The food will be fabulous, too,” added Stewart. “We have food trucks, restaurant food booths, coffees, soft drinks and smoothies, ice cream, Italian ices and ice pops and drinks from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. We’ll also have cotton candy, shave ice and Maui Kazowie Kettle Corn.”
To learn more, visit www.pacificwhale.org and the Maui Whale Festival site at www.mauiwhalefestival.org, or call Pacific Whale Foundation at 249-8811, extension. 1.